Tracy Morgan Critical But Responsive After Deadly Bus Crash

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Actor and comedian Tracy Morgan, 45, remains in critical condition Monday following a six-vehicle crash on the New Jersey Turnpike over the weekend.

“He has been more responsive, which is an incredibly encouraging sign,” publicist Lewis Kay said Sunday.

Morgan’s limo bus was struck by a tractor-trailer around 1 a.m. on Saturday. The accident killed James McNair, a comedy writer for Morgan. Comedians Ardie Fuqua and Harris Stanton were injured, as was Morgan’s assistant Jeffrey Millea.

Morgan suffered several injuries, including broken ribs, a broken nose, a broken leg and a broken femur. He underwent surgery on his leg Sunday.

“We expect him to remain in the hospital for several weeks,” his publicist said.

Morgan was returning from a performance of his “Turn it Funny” tour in Dover, Delaware, when officials say a truck rear-ended Morgan’s bus, causing the crash.

“Driver failed to observe slow-moving traffic ahead,” New Jersey State Police Sgt. First Class Gregory Williams said. “He observed at the last minute — just prior to impact — the limo bus carrying Morgan and his party.”

“The limo bus is the only vehicle that overturned,” Williams said.

The Walmart truck driver, 35-year-old Kevin Roper, was charged with one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto and released on $50,000 bail. He is expected in court on Wednesday.

According to the criminal complaint charging him with vehicular homicide, New Jersey State Police say Roper drove “without having slept for a period in excess of 24 hours.”

“This is a tragedy and we are profoundly sorry that one of our trucks was involved,” Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., said in a statement. “We are working quickly to understand what happened and are cooperating fully with law enforcement to aid their investigation.

“The facts are continuing to unfold. If it’s determined that our truck caused the accident, Walmart will take full responsibility.

“Safety is our absolute highest priority, but that is no comfort whatsoever to the families and friends who are suffering today. We offer them our deepest condolences. We can’t change what happened, but we will do what’s right for the family of the victim and the survivors in the days and weeks ahead.”